The True Voice of Rape

The first of several films made by Brian Hill that employs the same approach for different subjects. Three actors deliver words taken directly from real people who are telling their own stories, only the names and places have been changed in some cases. The style is very much Alan Bennett's Talking Heads but obviously the difference is that the dialogue is not convincing – it is real.

In this film the subject is rape and we have three stories – one from a male rapist and the others from two women who recall their rape. The setting for each is simple as it is basically the actors delivering direct to camera but it is the subject that makes the film as gripping as it is. And it is surprisingly engaging because, as basic as it sounds, the approach is a total success because the selection of material is so strong. The stories are never overly emotional or forced but almost matter-of-fact and based in deep experience (which of course, they are). Taking that it is a given that rape is a terrible crime, the film doesn't push that side of it because it is obvious; instead it brings out real emotions and show us the feelings of real people. The slight downside of this is that some viewers will wonder what "the point" is, but this is a very minor thing that didn't bother me because I knew that the point was simply presenting real stories.

The cast react well to being given this strong and honest material by turning in controlled and convincing characters. Emily Woof is a good starting point and she totally hits the sense of confusion and fear that the words suggested has never gone away. She is followed by Dunster who perhaps is given a rather sympathetic male character to work with but does really well with it. He holds the attention and I was gripped by how easily this man had ruined a woman's life. Okonedo is such an attractive woman that I was really impressed by how she took all that confidence and stripped it away to produce this vulnerable character that suits the material and suits the experiences. Hill directs well; not just pointing and shooting but not getting in the way of the subjects as well. I did like the way he knew to move the camera closer at certain points – cleverly matching it with me being drawn into the words.

Overall then a gripping and difficult film. I would not say I enjoyed it but I found it effortlessly engaging throughout. The real script is intense in its honesty and realism (obviously) and the cast react well to find those characters and do the words justice. Well worth seeking out even if it isn't what one would call entertainment.